A
3-bedroomed house in West Norfolk is on the market
and, if a reasonable offer comes through a Paradox
supporter, £1000 will be donated to Beit Netanel.
See below for the details.

A FRAGILE CEASE-FIRE

The good news is, of course,
that Israel and Hamas have established a ceasefire in Gaza
which is supported by the various terrorist groups. It
began at 6.00am on Thursday June 19th and is for
a period of six months, after which it is hoped it will be
extended to the West Bank.

This is despite the fact that
Israel and Hamas do not accept each other’s legitimacy and
do not speak to each other directly.

Israel has removed some of its
blockade against Gaza, which has created great hardships and
has undermined support for Hamas – a factor in the ceasefire
agreement. Hamas has agreed to renew negotiation about the
release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. They have
agreed to an Egyptian request to provide a letter and video
tape from Shalit.Clearly there is a danger that Hamas will use
the ceasefire to strengthen its position and increase its
arsenal, but the Egyptians (who themselves don’t want
Islamic militants on their doorstep) have promised to
prevent arms smuggling. Egypt’s deep involvement is a very
significant and encouraging factor in this situation.

On the other hand, the Israeli
public does not favour a massive and very costly ground
offensive against Hamas in Gaza. The humiliation in the
recent Lebanon war is a major factor in their thinking.

Nevertheless, some Israelis
believe that the ceasefire is too great a concession because
it shows Hamas that it can achieve de facto recognition and
a change in Israel’s policy without recognising her
legitimacy and through the rocket bombardments. However, by
the same token, Hamas has shown a willingness to negotiate
with Israel. Also Israel has not been required to recognise
Hamas officially and she could arrest “replacement”
prisoners at any time.

The fragile nature of the
ceasefire is illustrated by the fact that since it began
Israel has closed the border with Gaza six times in
retaliation for rocket attacks, which it deems to be an
effective weapon against Hamas. The fact that Hamas
condemned the rocket attacks as contrary to Palestinian
interests seems to confirm that. Hamas also threatened to
arrest anyone breaking the cease-fire. However, the borders
have since been re-opened for import of fuel and food
together with building materials.[Since writing this
paragraph there has been another rocket attack on the
Israeli town of Sderot with no casualties].

The horrific terrorist attack by
the Palestinian bulldozer driver in Jerusalem appeared to be
his own initiative, despite claims to the contrary by
PR-hungry Palestinian factions.

ISRAEL-SYRIA TALKS

There are good prospects of the
two countries holding direct talks, rather than through
Turkish intermediaries. Prime Minister Olmert and Syrian
President Assad have been invited to France this month.
However, Ehud Barak, Israeli Defence Minister, has stated
that there will be no direct talk with Syria this year,
especially if the Americans are not involved. Richard Jones,
US Ambassador in Israel, stated that the Americans would not
be involved in these negotiations. It does
seem likely that Olmert and Assad will have talks during
their visit to France.

Assad has said that Israel is
willing to talk because of its humiliation in the recent
Lebanon war. He claims that Israel did not ask Syria to
break off relations with Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran as a
condition of peace talks. In fact, Terje Roed-Larsen, the
UN secretary-general's special envoy, criticised Israel for
this, especially in view of Assad’s interference in
Lebanon. According to French officials, though, Syria is
ready to “reconsider” its relationship with Iran, because of
the latter’s involvement in Iraq. It is also seems that
Syria is less willing to be involved in Lebanon’s turmoil
now its (Syria’s) relationship with the West is thawing
(including a possible agreement of association with the EU.
Nor does Syria want Hezbollah to be strong enough to stand
alone.

ISRAEL – HEZBOLLAH DEAL

OnSunday 29 June the
Israeli cabinet approved a deal, mediated by the German
government, whereby Hezbollah will return the bodies of two
IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ahud Goldwasser and provide
information on Israeli airforce navigator Ron Arad who was
shot down in 1986. For its part, Israel will release Samir
Kuntar, who was involved in a terrorist attack in Israel in
1979, and the bodies of Lebanese killed during the Lebanon
war, including eight Hezbollah members. It will also provide
information about the fate of four Iranian diplomats missing
since the 1980s. Israel will also release a number of
Palestinian prisoners. Some Israelis criticise the decision
because it will strengthen Hezbollah politically, weaken
Mahmoud Abbas, the chief Palestinian negotiator, and will
encourage further abductions. But the price paid by Israel
is less than that demanded by Hezbollah. The exchange
should take place by mid-July, probably in Germany.

ISRAEL AND IRAN

Israel estimates that Iran will
be able to make nuclear weapons within two years and
continues to hold out the possibility of a strike against
Iran. Military analysts believe that, whereas Israel could
not destroy all of Iran’s secret underground nuclear
facilities, yet it could hinder its nuclear programme.

However, Gen. Mohammad Ali
Jafari, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards,
threatened retaliation. This would include missile attacks
(it could be pre-emptive attacks) and also disruption of oil
supplies through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf. Iran is
the world’s fourth largest oil supplier. This and the
subsequent rise in oil prices is a very effective deterrent
against the US approving an Israeli attack on Iran.

An anonymous Pentagon source
claimed that America was also afraid that Iran would make a
missile attack on the US, but this was later contradicted by
the Pentagon

The Israelis held their second
military exercise this year from May 28-June 12 and many saw
this as a dress rehearsal for an attack on Iran. Also, of
course, Israel has made similar attacks in both Iraq (1981)
and Syria (2007). Israel would need considerable America
assistance for such an attack.

PRAYER TOPICS

1.That the
cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza may last, spread
to the West Bank and lead to more in-depth peace
negotiations, as Hamas recognises it is in its own interests
to stop the violence.

2.That
Israel will exercise restraint in both Gaza and the West
Bank in order to further peace.

3.For
frustration of the efforts of extremists on both sides,
including those firing rockets into Israel.

4.That
talks between Syria and Israel will lead to peace, justice
and good relationships between the two countries, and
greater stability in the region, as each country recognizes
this is in its own interests.

5.That
the exchange between Hezbollah and Israel will strengthen
the cease-fire between them.

6.That
Mahmoud Abbas will not be marginalised by the negotiations
between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, but will be able to
play a major role in achieving peace with justice for both
the Palestinians and Israelis.

7.For
political stability in Israel despite Ehud Olmert’s
vulnerability because of corruption charges.

8.For
the people of Gaza to gain relief from their severe economic
problems and to pressurize the authorities to opt for peace.

9.For
those suffering from the effects of violence: fear, pain,
bereavement.

10.For
God’s purposes in the Middle East to be furthered even in
these years of tortuous and fragile negotiation.

DO YOU
KNOW OF ANYONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO BUY A HOUSE IN WEST
NORFOLK?

7 Church
View, Marham, is a
3-bedroom house at the end of a cul-de-sac in the
village of Marham, within easy reach of the beautiful
North coast, 12 miles from King’s Lynn. 45 minutes drive
to Ely, an hour to Cambridge.

See our website
www.prayerforpeace.org.uk for extensive information
on many issues to do with the conflict in the Holy Land:
history, religious beliefs, theology, prayer topics,
advice to Ministers, news updates, etc

Please tell others about the website and blog and it
would help if you were to link your own website to it.

For further details see the attached “General
Information & Donation” form.

DONATIONS FOR BEIT NETANEL, JERUSALEM

If you would like to offset the £150,000 in interest
free loans (raised other than through Paradox and in
addition to our donations of £141,200) for the purchase
of the Beit Netanel Ministry Center in Jerusalem, or to
give towards Rachel Netanel’s on-going ministry, Please
send your giftby cheque made out to “Paradox
Ministries” and sent to the Rev Tony Higton, The
Rectory, 47 Castle Rising Road, South Wootton, King’s
Lynn, Norfolk PE30 3JA. If you are a UK taxpayer please
Gift Aid your donation using the form attached to this
email OR take out a standing order to support the
ministry regularly using the form attached to this
email.

Any gift, however small or large, is most welcome. Each
gift is an investment in extending the Kingdom of Jesus,
Lord and Messiah, among Jewish and Arab people in
Jerusalem and facilitates reconciliation.

For further details see the attached “General
Information & Donation” form.